Automatically downloading and installing Windows updates directly from Microsoft or from an internal server running Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a good way to ensure your systems keep their operating system and software up to date.

But when the update requires a reboot, it always seems to happen at the least opportune moment—right in the middle of large file transfer. While you can often postpone the reboot, Windows will keep nagging you until you give in or the OS will just take matters into its own hands and restart after four hours. This can be really frustrating.

Configure Windows Update through local Group Policy

On machines running Windows XP Pro with at least SP2, Windows Vista Business, or Windows 7 Pro, you can configure Windows Update using the Group Policy snap-in (gpedit.msc) for the Microsoft Management Console (MMC).

Stop all running instances of Windows Update AutoUpdate Client (wuauclt.exe) using the Task Manager. (This may or may not be required for the steps below to work, but it can't hurt.)

Open the Group Policy MMC snap-in by clicking Start | Run and entering gpedit.msc (Windows XP Pro) in the Run box or by clicking Start and entering gpedit.msc in the Search box (Windows Vista Business and Windows 7 Pro).

Double-click the policy No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Updates installations.

Select Enabled. (See Figure B.)

Click OK.

Close the Group Policy snap-in for MMC.

Configure Active Directory WSUS clients through Group Policy

For Active Directory Windows WSUS clients, you can also configure the settings for WSUS and Automatic Updates using Group Policy. The process is similar to steps outlined above for editing Windows Update local Group Policy. For more information and a complete description of the process, read the Microsoft articles:

And the TechRepublic swag goes to...

This week's coffee mugs and laptop stickers to GreatZen, who was first to mention using Group Policy to configure Windows Update, medo35_2010, who was first to outline the above registry edit, and ray.mosely, who provided an link to an excellent resource on how to prevent your changes from being undone by Windows Update. Thanks to everyone who submitted an answer.

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About Bill Detwiler

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop supp...

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Full Bio

Bill Detwiler is Managing Editor of TechRepublic and Tech Pro Research and the host of Cracking Open, CNET and TechRepublic's popular online show. Prior to joining TechRepublic in 2000, Bill was an IT manager, database administrator, and desktop support specialist in the social research and energy industries. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Louisville, where he has also lectured on computer crime and crime prevention.